Method and apparatus for generating a media plan

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for generating a media campaign from information about available units stored in a central database, including a set of first characteristic data and associated behavior information and a set of media formats for the available units and associated behavior information. Selective criteria is entered based on the first characteristic data at a remote computer coupled to the central computer database via a network and web server for a search of the information stored in the database, and a search is generated based upon the selective criteria, the search identifying the certain behavior information corresponding to the first characteristic data and media format information associated with that certain behavior information. Results of the search are displayed at the remote computer, the results constituting matching media format information and associated information. The user then selects among the media formats from the search results to constitute the media campaign.

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application61/211,985, filed Apr. 6, 2009 and hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for generatinga media plan via a user interface.

BACKGROUND

Advertisers are continually facing more and more options for presentingadvertisements to consumers. However, with this increase in availableoptions, it becomes more difficult to generate a media plan that focuseson a particular targeted audience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addressed this problem by organizing informationabout available media formats for advertising options (called “units” or“assets” herein) in a database in a number of ways. First, informationabout the targeted audience, e.g., demographic data, for the advertisingoptions is linked to behavior information. In addition, the behaviordata is also linked to the available media formats. The user ispresented with an interface in which a campaign may be generated (a“campaign” according to the present invention is an incompleteadvertising plan) resulting in a media plan (a “media plan” according tothe present invention is a final, completed advertising plan) whichtargets a desired audience. In particular, according to the presentinvention, the user provides certain details about the targeted audiencefor the current campaign through the user-interface (e.g., desireddemographic data) and then generates a search of the database, stored ata central location. Possible advertising options are then presented tothe user in a search results window based upon “behaviors” (a “behavior”according to the present invention is a class or type of activityorganized based on how or where the advertising is presented to thetargeted audience) which are associated with that demographic. Eachbehavior is organized hierarchically based on a top-level descriptionand descriptions of sub-components of that behavior. The search windowis selectively presented in one of two views, a BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view ora LIFELINE view, and provides certain statistical information about theadvertising options that can be evaluated by the user in generating theadvertising campaign. The user navigates the search window to choosedesired media format options for the campaign, and, once complete, savesthe current campaign as a completed media plan. Optionally, the user maychoose one ore more particular assets for the desired format ingenerating the media plan.

In particular, the present invention provides a method for generating acampaign from information about available units stored in a centralcomputer database, the information comprising a set of firstcharacteristic data and associated behavior information and a set offormats for the available units and associated behavior information. Themethod requires entering selective criteria from the set of firstcharacteristic information at a remote computer coupled to the centralcomputer database. Next, the central computer database is searched basedupon the entered selective criteria and, based on the associatedbehavior information for the first characteristic data matching thesearch criteria, corresponding formats is identified. Then, the resultsfrom the search are displayed at the remote computer, the resultsconstituting the identified corresponding formats. Finally, using theremote computer, one or more formats are selected from the searchresults for the campaign.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for generating acampaign from information about available units. The apparatus includesa central computer database for storing information about availableunits comprising a set of first characteristic data and associatedbehavior information and a set of formats for the available units andassociated behavior information. The apparatus also includes a webserver computer system coupled to the central computer database forsearching the central computer database based upon selective criteriaand for, based on the associated behavior information for the firstcharacteristic data matching the search criteria, identifyingcorresponding formats. Finally, the apparatus includes a remote computercoupled to the web server computer system and adapted to allow entry ofthe selective criteria from the set of first characteristic informationand to provide the selective criteria to the web server computer systemvia the network and for displaying the results from the search, theresults constituting the identified corresponding formats, to allow auser to select one or more formats from the search results for thecampaign.

In a further embodiment, the results displayed further compriseassociated statistical information for the formats. Additionally, theresults displayed further comprise associated statistical informationfor the formats, the campaign is an advertising media campaign, theavailable units comprise available advertising units, the firstcharacteristic data comprises demographic information, the behaviorinformation comprises identified behaviors performed by an advertisingaudience and the set of formats for the available advertising unitscomprise the types of advertising available.

In both the claimed method and apparatus, the assets may be displayedaccording to behaviors at the client computer and the search results maybe displayed in hierarchical form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and related objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of the presently preferred, albeit illustrative,embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked system environment in which aWeb-based search engine for generating a media plan is employed.

FIG. 2 is a screen shot of the graphical user interface of an embodimentof the present invention which illustrates the four main componentsthereof.

FIG. 3 is a partial screen shot showing the logo block component of thegraphical user interface of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial screen shot showing the campaign block component ofthe graphical user interface of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial screen shot showing the search block component ofthe graphical user interface of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial screen shot showing the results/planner blockcomponent of the graphical user interface of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial screen shot showing the header portion of theresults/planner block component of the graphical user interface in theBEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 8 is a partial screen shot showing the results window portion ofthe results/planner block component of the graphical user interface inthe BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respective partial screen shots showing the resultswindow portion of the results/planner block component of the graphicaluser interface in the LIFELINE view mode, in the DAILY VIEW view modeand WEEKLY VIEW view mode, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a partial screen shot showing the header portion of theresults/planner block component of the graphical user interface with themedia filters section expanded.

FIG. 11 is a partial screen shot showing the PLAN TOTALS portion of theresults/planner block component of the graphical user interface of anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial screen shot showing an enlarged sub-portion of theresults/planner block component of the graphical user interface in theBEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 13 is a partial screen shot showing the top-level portions of atype of behavior appearing in the results/planner block component of thegraphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are partial screen shots showing different views of asingle behavior appearing in the results/planner block component of thegraphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 15 is a partial screen shot showing the media summary stats for alllevels of a single behavior appearing in the results/planner blockcomponent of the graphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA viewmode.

FIG. 16 is a partial screen shot showing the media summary stats for acategory sub-component of a single behavior appearing in theresults/planner block component of the graphical user interface in theBEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 17 is a partial screen shot showing the media summary stats for atype sub-component of a single behavior appearing in the results/plannerblock component of the graphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIAview mode.

FIG. 18 is a partial screen shot showing a media format available for asingle behavior appearing in the results/planner block component of thegraphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 19 is a partial screen shot showing a vendor for the associatedmedia format for a single behavior appearing in the results/plannerblock component of the graphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIAview mode.

FIG. 20 is a partial screen shot showing the details of a particularunit/asset for a particular vendor of a particular media format for asingle behavior appearing in the results/planner block component of thegraphical user interface in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view mode.

FIG. 21 is a partial screen shot showing the top-level time-linesub-component for all behaviors appearing in the results/planner blockcomponent of the graphical user interface in the LIFELINE DAILY VIEWmode.

FIG. 22 is a partial screen shot showing a first type of single behaviortime-line sub-component appearing in the results/planner block componentof the graphical user interface in the LIFELINE DAILY VIEW mode.

FIG. 23 is a partial screen shot showing a second type of singlebehavior time-line sub-component appearing in the results/planner blockcomponent of the graphical user interface in the LIFELINE DAILY VIEWmode.

FIG. 24 is a partial screen shot showing the top-level time-linesub-component for all behaviors appearing in the results/planner blockcomponent of the graphical user interface in the LIFELINE WEEKLY VIEWmode.

FIG. 25 is a partial screen shot showing a single behavior time-linesub-component appearing in the results/planner block component of thegraphical user interface in the LIFELINE WEEKLY VIEW mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a networked system environment 10 includes a system12 connected to a network 14. In one embodiment, as illustrated, thenetwork 14 is the Internet and the system 12 is implemented as aWeb-based architecture, however, the present invention is not limited tooperations over the Internet, and other types of networks may be used inconjunction with the present invention. The system 12 includes a Webserver 16, which is configured with a Web-based application 18, and adatabase 20 that is coupled to the Web server 16 by a data link or bus22. The Web-based application 18, which is stored in an internal memory24 and executed by a processor 26, allows access to the database 20. Thedatabase 20 includes data structures that store data 28, and is the mainsource and storage for that data. The database 20 further includesgraphical user interface (GUI) data structures 30 that store informationfor use in producing GUI 32.

Also coupled to the network 14 are one or more client computers 34 whichare operated by users of the application 18. The application 18 providesthe GUI 32 to the user of the client computer 34, via a client device,for example, a Web-browser 36, as shown. The GUI 32 is an intuitiveinterface that is described below. The system 12 thus allows a user toaccess in a fast and reliable manner data from the database 20 and todisplay that data in an appropriate form. The GUI data structures 30 anddata 28 can be modified or updated as well by a user with appropriateprivileges, e.g., an administrator.

FIG. 2 is a screen shot of an exemplary GUI 32 of the present inventioncomprising four distinct components, including logo block 40, campaignblock 42, search block 44 and results/planner block 46. Each of thesecomponents, and the functionality provided thereby, is described in moredetail below.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, data 28 indatabase 20 constitutes information about advertising units/assets andcorresponding information about the associated unit/asset. As explainedbelow, the user, via GUI 32, conducts a search of the database 20 basedon certain selected criteria, and the results of the search arepresented to the user via a window in GUI 32. The user then evaluatesthe search results and selects some or all of the search results toconstitute a media plan.

In particular, according to the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention, data 28 contains two sets of information. The first set ofinformation comprises, for example, demographic information of the typeused by advertisers to identify different groups of people for targetedadvertising campaigns. Demographic information is used herein as anycharacteristic used to identify a target audience for an advertisingcampaign, see, e.g., the search fields provided in search block 44 shownin FIG. 5 and discussed below. The first set of information alsoincludes behavior information linked to this demographic information.Some types of behaviors are shown in FIG. 8 and discussed below,including: 1. Travel; 2. At Work Or School; 3. Eating A Meal; 4. AwayFrom Home—Shopping; 5. Away From Home—Personal Time; 6. Away FromHome—Entertainment; and 7. Micro-Behaviors. The links between thedemographic information and the behaviors are generated based on, e.g.,survey data. For example, the demographic information could include: 1.30-40 year old males; 2. residing in New York City; and 3. having asalary of $ 50-70 thousand per year. One type of behavior could becommuting to work. Statistical information about each behavior, e.g.,what percentage of the demographic is performing the particular behaviorat particular time periods, is also stored. The second set of datacomprises the available media formats that can be used to generate amedia campaign and a link to the associated behaviors for each availablemedia format.

FIG. 3 is a screen shot of a portion of exemplary GUI 32 which shows thelogo block 40 in greater detail. Logo block 40 preferably includes alabel 48 used to identify GUI 32, an about link 50 used to access an URLthat provides overview information about the system, a FAQ link 52 usedto access an URL that provides more detail information about the systemin the conventional frequently-asked-questions format, a help link 54used to access an URL that provides the user with access to a helpdatabase in a conventional manner, a sign-in link 56 that providesaccess to a window used by previously registered users to login to thesystem, a register link 58 that provides access to a window used toregister for use of the system, a full-screen link 60 used to expand GUI32 to use the entire display screen of the client computer 34 and a logoarea 62 used for identification purposes.

FIG. 4 is a screen shot of a portion of exemplary GUI 32 which shows thecampaign block 42 in greater detail. As discussed above, a campaign isan incomplete advertising plan, here, for example, a set of searchresults with or without user-based selections that can be reopened bythe user for further modification/election of the search results and amedia plan is a finalized campaign including user-based selections ofthe search results that is read-only and cannot be further modified.Campaign block 42 includes a campaign section 64 and a completed mediaplan section 78, along with a link 90 used to access an additionalwindow for adding new campaigns and folders, a link 92 used to delete aselected campaign and a profile link 45 used to access a profile screenwhich is used to modify the profile of the currently logged user.Campaign section 64 includes a link 66 for creating a new campaign thatinvokes the search component of the embodiment and folders 68, 72, 76for organizing and displaying saved campaigns 70, 74. Completed mediaplan section 78 includes folders 80, 84, 88 for organizing anddisplaying saved media plans 82, 86. As evident from FIG. 4, each of thefolders 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88 may be toggled between a state in whichthe contents of the respective folders is displayed and a state in whichthe contents are hidden. The folders are user-defined and may be addedvia the add-campaign link 90.

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a portion of exemplary GUI 32 which shows thesearch block 44 in greater detail. Search block 44 includes a field 96for entry of a unique name for the current search, which field isautomatically filled in if a previously saved search is being used, anda set of buttons 100 used to control the current search. Buttons 100include a LOAD button for accessing a screen to load a stored campaign,a SUBMIT button used to forward the current search terms to the server16 for running a query on the database 20, a CLEAR button used to returnall search entries to the default state and a CANCEL button used toclose the search block without executing the current search. Searchblock 44 also includes a criteria field 98 that holds the terms used inthe present search. Field 98 is automatically filled in when using apreviously saved search. Performance of a search requires at least onevalid criterion, other than geography, and a particular geography (i.e.,geographic location) to be entered in field 98. In addition, searchfield also includes a number of pull-down menus which are used to selectcriteria that is then automatically entered into field 98. These menusinclude the gender pull-down menu 104, the age pull-down menu 106,ethnicity pull-down menu 108, income range pull-down menu 110, maritalstatus pull-down menu 114, education pull-down menu 116, acculturationstatus pull-down menu 118, employment pull-down menu 120 and industry ofemployment pull-down menu 122 and geography pull-down menu 124. Thereare two fields 128 and 132 used to enter, respectively, the start andend dates for the current campaign. Each field 128, 132 has associateddate picker boxes 130, 134 which are used to automatically populate theassociated date fields 128, 132 in the correct format.

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a portion of exemplary GUI 32 which shows theresults/planner block 46 in greater detail. The results/planner block 46has a number of distinct portions, including view toggle buttons section136 which allow the user to switch between the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view andthe LIFELINE view (these views are discussed in more detail below);selection toggle buttons section 138 which allow the user to choose howto display the search results; filter control section 140 which allowthe user to filter the search results based on certain criteria,discussed below with respect to FIG. 10; window 142 which displays theactual search results in a form which depends on the user settings forthe view toggle buttons 136, selection toggle buttons 138 and filterswithin the filter section 140 (if enabled) (window 142 is used forplanning/election of the current campaign); and plan totals section 144which is a read-only section used to provide summary information for thecurrent search and of elections made for the current search, asdiscussed below.

Window 142 in FIG. 6 presents the results of the search to the user in amanner controlled by the settings of view toggle buttons section 136,selection toggle buttons 138 and the filters of filter control section140. In FIG. 6, the view toggle buttons section 136 is set to BEHAVIOR &MEDIA VIEW, the selection toggle buttons are set to SHOW ALL; and thereare no filters set in filter section 140. In addition, as discussedbelow, the user has opened certain categories and made certainselections in window 142 for the current campaign. A portion 226 ofwindow 142 is discussed below with respect to FIG. 12.

FIG. 7 shows the header portion of results/planner block 46 in greaterdetail, including the view toggle buttons section 136, selection togglebuttons section 138 and the media filter controls 160 of filter controlsection 140. There are two view toggle buttons, BEHAVIOR & MEDIA viewbutton 162 and LIFELINE view button 164, discussed below with respect toFIGS. 8, 9A and 9B. There are three selection toggle buttons, SHOW ALLbutton 166, SHOW FILTERED & SELECTED button 168 and SHOW SELECTED ONLYbutton 170. A user clicks on the particular view button to activate it,and the non-elected view toggle button (or buttons) will be shown in alighter shade, e.g., grey, while the elected view toggle button will beshown in a darker, more highlighted fashion. Only one of the togglebuttons (view 136 or selection 138) may be active at any one time. Thefilter buttons 160 of filter control section 140 are discussed in detailbelow with respect to FIG. 10.

The selection toggle buttons 166, 168, 170 are used to select differentways to show the results of the search. SHOW ALL button 166 will causeall results of the search to be shown. SHOW FILTERED & SELECTED button168 will cause all results that correspond to the pre-set filters (ifany) and which also have been selected by the user for the currentcampaign. Finally, SHOW SELECTED ONLY button 170 will cause only thoseresults that have been selected to be shown. As one of ordinary skill inthe art will readily recognize, other views can be provided based on theparticular implementation, e.g., a button which would show only thefiltered results.

FIG. 8 is a view of window 142 in the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view, with theSHOW ALL button set and no filters applied. Each media category 146 to158 is closed, as would occur immediately after a search has beeninitiated. In particular, seven different types of media behaviors areavailable in the search results shown in FIG. 8, including travelbehavior 146, at work or home behavior 148, eating a meal behavior 150,away from home—shopping behavior 152, away from home—personal timebehavior 154, away from home—entertainment behavior 156 andmicro-behaviors 158. A behavior is broadly defined as a particularaction or activity in which a person would be undertaking in which thatperson would be exposed to certain types of media, for, e.g.,advertising purposes. In FIG. 6, three types of search result behaviorsare shown, including away from home—shopping behavior 152, away fromhome—personal time behavior 154 and travel behavior 146.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show window 142 in the LIFELINE view, used to presentthe search results and selections for the current campaign in a timebased manner. In particular, the LIFELINE view shows a graphical chartof all behaviors for a demographic group over a period of time. In FIG.9A, LIFELINE view window 142, shown in the DAILY VIEW mode, includes atop level component 344 and a series of behavior sub-components 360,368, 390, 400 and 402. As discussed below with respect to FIG. 21, thetop-level component 344 provides certain sorting controls and headerinformation for the various behavior sub-components which may be presentin LIFELINE view window 142, e.g., behavior sub-components 360, 368,390, 400 and 402 for the example campaign shown in FIG. 9A. Behaviorsub-components 360, 368, 390, 400 and 402 are described below withrespect to FIGS. 22 and 23. In FIG. 9B, LIFELINE view window 142 isshown in the WEEKLY VIEW mode and in the displayed embodiment includes atop-level component 372 and behavior sub-components 382, 404, 406, 408and 410. The top-level component 372 provides sorting controls for thebehavior sub-components, e.g., the behavior sub-components 382, 404,406, 408 and 410 of FIG. 9B, which are described with respect to FIG. 24below. The behavior sub-components for the LIFELINE weekly view aredescribed below with respect to FIG. 25.

FIG. 10 shows the header portion of results/planner block 46 in greaterdetail, including the view toggle buttons 136, selection toggle buttons138 and the media filter controls 160 of filter control section 140expanded. The media filters buttons allow the user to filter the resultsof the current search by certain criteria associated with each type ofavailable advertising, for example. The filter control section 140 alsoincludes, preferably, four control buttons, including RESET ALL button192, SAVE button 194, LOAD button 196 and SUBMIT button 198. The RESETALL button 192 resets the filters to the default, e.g., usuallyunselected, state. The SAVE button 194 saves the current setting of thefilters. The LOAD button 196 allows a previously saved filter set to beloaded. The SUBMIT button 198 causes the currently selected filter setto operate on the current search results and modify the results shown inwindow 142.

Media filter controls 160 in FIG. 10 preferably include media categorybox 172, media type box 174, media format box 176, quality of exposuretolerance level set 178, time of exposure tolerance level set 180, andmedia association flags 182 which include traditional box 184,non-traditional box 186, non-digital box 188 and digital box 190. Thethree media select boxes, i.e., media category box 172, media type box174 and media format box 176, open pull-down menus which allow variouspredetermined information to be selected associated with categories,types and formats, respectively. The two tolerance level settings, i.e.,quality of exposure tolerance level set 178 and time of exposuretolerance level set 180, allow specific levels to be set by, e.g.,selecting a number of stars. Finally, the user can select the desiredmedia association flags 182, e.g., traditional. As one of ordinary skillin the art will readily recognize, the filter settings provided in thedisclosed embodiment are merely illustrative of a much broader range ofpossible filter settings. Other types of filter settings could be basedon time of day or behavior type, for example.

FIG. 11 is a partial screen shot of results/planner block 46 showing theplan totals portion 144 in greater detail for the BEHAVIOR & MEDIA view.Results/planner block 46 includes a number of sub-blocks used to providevarious details about the current search and the campaign selected fromthat search. The user does not interact with plans total portion 144,instead the various information provided is updated automatically as theuser makes or changes selections for the current campaign. In thepresently preferred embodiment, results/planner block 46, in theBEHAVIOR & MEDIA view, includes the following separate sub-blocks:number of behaviors hit block 200; average behavior frequencies per weekblock 202; median behavior frequencies per week block 204; average mediaexposure frequencies per week block 206; median media exposure frequencyper week block 208; media category block 210; media type block 212;media format block 214; average quality of exposure block 216; averagetime of exposure block 218; vendors block 220; w/plants block 222; andunits block 224. In the LIFELINE view, the plan totals portion 144displays only the number of behaviors hit block 200 average behaviorfrequencies per week block 202 and median behavior frequencies per weekblock 204 (see FIG. 9A).

The number of behaviors hit block 200 provides the count for the numberof selected behaviors and the total available behaviors in the currentcampaign and search. The average behavior frequencies per week block 202provides the sum of the selected average weekly behavior frequencies.The median behavior frequencies per week block 204 provides the sum ofthe median weekly frequency behaviors. The average media exposurefrequencies per week block 206 is calculated as the sum of, for eachselected behavior, the product of the average frequency per week and thenumber of returned media types. The median media exposure frequency perweek block 208 is calculated as the sum of, for each selected behavior,the product of the median frequency per week and the number of returnedmedia types. The media category block 210 provides the count for thenumber of selected media categories and the total available mediacategories in the current search and campaign. The media type block 212provides the count for the number of selected media types and the totalavailable media types in the current search and campaign. The mediaformat block 214 provides the count for the number of selected mediaformats and the total available media formats in the current search andcampaign. The average quality of exposure block 216 provides anindication of the average of the quality of exposure ratings for all ofthe current user-selections. The average time of exposure block 218provides an indication of the average of the time of exposure ratingsfor all of the current user-selections. The vendors block 220 providesthe count for the selected and total number of vendors in the currentcampaign and search. The w/plants block 222 provides the number ofselected vendors having disclosed assets to the system, and the totalnumber of vendors having disclosed assets to the system in this set ofsearch results. The units block 224 provides the count for the selectedand total number of units in the current campaign and search.

The foregoing description provides an overview of the various parts ofthe present invention. In operation, a user at a client computer 34accesses the system 12 by way of GUI 32 provided in web browser 36through a network 14 such as the Internet. The user first logs on to thesystem in a conventional manner by selecting sign-in link 56 in GUI 32.Once the user is authorized, a new campaign can be instituted or a savedcampaign can be recalled from memory, using the appropriate link incampaign block 42, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 4. Next, theuser may select (if a new campaign) or modify (if a recalled campaign)the search fields in search block 44, as discussed above with respect toFIG. 5. Once the search criteria is set in the search fields of searchblock 44, the user may then elect to run the search by selecting theSUBMIT button in search block 44. This causes the search criteria to beforwarded to the application 18 of system 12, which runs the search ofdatabase 20 and provides the results thereof to the user via GUI 32,displayed in window 142 according to the user settings discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 7.

Once the search results have been returned to the user, the user cancomplete the media plan by reviewing the available options within window142 at the client end, making selections of a subset of the availablemedia formats for the identified behaviors, and then saving the resultsas a finalized media plan. In the presently preferred embodiment of thispresent invention, the media formats constitute the particular types ofadvertising available, and the media plan constitutes the set of typesof advertising elected for a current advertising campaign. However, theinvention has broad application beyond advertising and should not belimited thereto by the description of the presently preferred embodimentprovided herein.

FIG. 12 is a partial screen shot of the results/planner block 46 showingan enlarged sub-portion 226 of window 142 which is useful inunderstanding how the user selects the various units for the currentcampaign, which, when finalized, becomes the media plan. As shown inFIG. 12, the search results are organized in hierarchical form with thetop level corresponding to behavior type, shown as behavior types 228,230 and 232. Each behavior type 228, 230 and 232 can be toggled betweenopened and closed states, as discussed with respect to FIG. 13 below. InFIG. 12, behavior types 228 and 230 are closed and the lower levels ofeach behavior type are hidden, while behavior type 232, TRAVEL, is openand the lower levels are shown. In particular, the next lowerhierarchical level are the actual behaviors, shown in FIG. 12 asbehavior 234 (BUS). There are three types of behaviors displayed, normalbehaviors, away from home behaviors, and micro-behaviors, and these aredisplayed differently depending on the view selected, as discussed inmore detail below with respect to FIGS. 14A to 14C. For each behavior,e.g., behavior 234 in FIG. 12, there will be a group of nestedinformation describing the available media formats. For the behavior 234in FIG. 12, the next sub-level will be media summary stats—all levels236 (discussed with respect to FIG. 15), then media summarystats—category level 238 (discussed with respect to FIG. 16), then mediasummary status—type level 240 (discussed with respect to FIG. 17), andthen media format(s) 242, 244, 246 (discussed with respect to FIG. 18),and finally, for each media format, vendor(s) 248, 250 (discussed withrespect to FIG. 19) and an associated unit/asset 252 (discussed withrespect to FIG. 20). As evident from FIG. 12 and as discussed below,each of the levels, except for the asset level (which corresponds to theactual advertisement, for example), can be toggled open or closed toenable the respective sub-levels for that level to be either viewed orhidden, respectively.

In FIG. 13, behavior type level 228 is shown in detail, including toggle254 (used to open or close the sub-levels to allow such levels to beviewed or hidden, as discussed above), label 256 (e.g., TRAVEL), abutton 258 used, when the level is open, so select one of a daily viewor a weekly view, and selection buttons 260 used, in the daily view, toselect one or more days of the week. Normal and away from home behaviorsare set by default to the daily view, while the micro-behavior is set bydefault to weekly view.

Each behavior level, e.g., behavior level 228 has a corresponding seriesof behaviors which are seen when the behavior level is toggled open,see, e.g., behavior level 234 in FIG. 12. FIG. 14A shows an examplebehavior level 260 (in daily mode) which includes major hashmarks 262preferably provided to form three hour blocks, minor hashmarks 264preferably forming one hour blocks when combined with the majorhashmarks 266, visual indicators 266 for the current behavior showingthe percentage of the demographic attributed to a particular block.Visual indicators 266 are provided in one hour blocks in this view andmay be selected by the user. Behavior level 260 also includes aselection checkbox 268 used to select the particular behavior, abehavior toggle 270 used to open the sublevels for this behavior, alabel 272 (“BAR/LOUNGE”) for the behavior, a read-only average durationsection 274 which is only shown for certain types of behaviors, aread-only media format hit by behavior section 276 which shows thenumber of media types selected and the number available for this type ofbehavior, a section 278 that provides an indication of overlap of theselections with other behaviors, a time range view toggle 280 that isused to switch between the daily and weekly views, and a day of week/daypicker section 282 that is read-only and provides an indication of thedays available for the particular behavior. FIG. 14B is an alternativebehavior 261 for a micro-behavior type behavior in which the timedisplay is shown in a different manner. In particular, although themajor hash marks 262 and minor hash marks 264 are presented in the samemanner as in FIG. 14A, the timeblocks 266 are not limited to one-hourdurations for micro-behaviors. FIG. 14C shows behavior 260 in the weeklyview, which provides overview information about the behavior, includingaverage frequency per week 284, median frequency per week 286 andpercentage frequency per week 288.

FIG. 15 shows the media summary stats—all levels sub-component 236 ofFIG. 12 in more detail. In particular, sub-component 236 includes amedia category count field 290 which provides the number of the selectedand total media categories for this behavior in the current campaign, amedia type count field 292 which provides the number of selected andtotal media types for this behavior in the current campaign, a mediaformat count field 294 which provides the number of selected and totalmedia types for this behavior in the current campaign, an other hitbehaviors column label 296, a quality of exposure column label 302, atime of exposure column label 296, a vendor count field 304 whichprovides the number of selected and total vendors, a w/plants countfield 300 which is a count of the number of vendors having disclosedassets to the system and a units/assets count field 306 which providesthe number of selected and total assets. The column labels 296, 302 and298 are headers for the sublevels below, as seen in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 shows the media summary stats—category sub-component 238 of FIG.12 in more detail. This sub-component provides information about aparticular category, e.g., TRANSIT MEDIA as shown in FIG. 16.Sub-component 238 includes a media category name field 308 (here“TRANSIT MEDIA”) and a number of fields which are duplicative fromsub-component 236 but which are limited to information about only thisparticular category, including media type count field 292, media formatcount field 294, vendor count field 304, w/plants field 300 andunits/assets count field 306.

FIG. 17 shows the media summary stats—type sub-component 240 of FIG. 12in more detail. This sub-component provides information about aparticular type within a category, e.g., TRAINS, SUBWAY, TROLLEY asshown in FIG. 16. Sub-component 240 includes a media type name field 312(here “TRAINS, SUBWAY, TROLLEY”) and fields which are duplicative fromsub-component 236 but which are limited to information about only thisparticular type and category, including media format count field 294,vendor count field 304, w/plants field 300 and units/assets count field306.

FIG. 18 shows the media format sub-component 242 of FIG. 12 in moredetail. This sub-component provides information about a particular mediaformat, e.g., “BRANDED CAR (FULL)” as shown in FIG. 16. Sub-component242 includes a media format toggle button 318 which is used to open orclose the next lower sub-levels, a media format name field 312 (here“BRANDED CAR (FULL)”), media format flags field 320 which describe thetype of format (e.g., traditional or alternative, digital ornon-digital) and a select checkbox 314 used by the user to select thisparticular media format. Sub-component 242 also includes three fieldsused to provide overview information about this particular media format,including quality of exposure field 322, time of exposure field 324 andother behaviors hit count field 316. Finally, sub-component 242 alsoincludes three fields which are duplicative from sub-component 236 butwhich are limited to information about only this particular format, typeand category, including media format count field 294, vendor count field304, w/plants field 300 and units/assets count field 306.

FIG. 19 shows the vendor sub-component 250 of FIG. 12 in more detail.Sub-component 250 is used to provide information about the particularvendor of assets in this format, type and category. As shown in FIG. 19,sub-component 250 includes a vendor name field 326, a toggle button 332used to open and close the next lower level, a vendor information button334 used to access a pop-up window with more detailed vendorinformation, a select checkbox 324 used by the user to select thisvendor as part of the current campaign, a vendor contact field 330 whichincludes detailed contact information for the vendor (e.g., as shown,name, email address and phone number), and also includes thevendor/assets count field 306 discussed above.

FIG. 20 shows the unit/asset sub-component 252 of FIG. 12 in moredetail. As discussed above, in this presently preferred embodiment, anasset is the actual advertising to be purchased. Sub-component 252includes an asset name field 336, here “NYC MTA—34^(TH) ST/PENNSTATION”, an asset information button 342 used to access a pop-up windowwith more detailed asset information, a select checkbox 338 used by theuser to add this particular asset to the current campaign and an assetinformation field which provides a short description of this particularasset (e.g., “34^(TH) STREET @ PENN STATION (SW ENTRANCE)—PRINTED—LARGEFORMAT—EXTERIOR”).

The present invention provides the user with a visual display of thestatus of the selections for the current campaign, using the LIFELINEview shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In the daily LIFELINE view window 142,FIG. 9A, the top-level component 344, shown in detail in FIG. 21,provides sorting controls including a sort by behavior type select menu346, a sort by options selection menu 348, a sort by selection menu 350,a time range view toggle 352 and a day picker 354. The sort by behaviortype menu 346 allows the user to select all behavior types or from amongthe different types of behavior types available. The sort by optionsselection menu 348 allows sorting of the behaviors by weight, time ofday or type. The sort by selection menu 350 allows a choice of threeoptions: (1) show only the selected behaviors; (2) show selected andunselected behaviors; and (3) show only the unselected behaviors. Thetime range view toggle 352 allows the user to switch between the dailyLIFELINE view (FIG. 9A) and the weekly LIFELINE view (FIG. 9B), whilethe day picker 354 allows the user to select one or more days of theweek in the DAILY VIEW for display. Finally, the top-level component 344includes major hash marks 356 representing three hour increments andminor hash marks 358 represent one hour increments (from 6:00 AM tomidnight, 24:00) used as a header for the information displayed in thevarious behavior sub-components which will be directly below, e.g.,behavior sub-components 360, 368, 390, 400 and 402 for the examplecampaign shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 22 shows a detailed view of behavior sub-component 360 of FIG. 9Awhich is used for behaviors that are based on hourly selections, e.g.,normal and away from home behaviors. Behavior sub-component 360 includesa label 366 which describes the type of behavior for this particularsub-component and major hashmarks 358 and minor hashmarks 360, whichalign with the corresponding hashmarks in top-level component 344 as canbe seen in FIG. 9A. Behavior sub-component 360 also includes time blocks362, 363 and a selection checkbox 364. The time blocks 362, 363constitute one-hour blocks and are positioned at the point in time whenthe behavior is available, and include a visual indication of thepercentage of the selected demographic that is engaged in the behaviorfor the particular block. The user can select one or more of the blocksdisplayed for the current campaign (preferably, the shaded color of theblock changes from a first color when the block is not selected to asecond color when the block is selected). Alternatively, the user canselect selection checkbox 364 to select all of the blocks for thecurrent campaign.

FIG. 23 shows a detailed view of behavior sub-component 368 of FIG. 9Awhich is used for behaviors that are not based on hourly selections,e.g., micro-behaviors. Like behavior sub-component 360, behaviorsub-component 368 also includes a selection checkbox 364, a label 366,major hashmarks 358 and minor hashmarks 360. Behavior sub-component 360also includes time blocks 365, 367, 369, 371 and 373. Here, however, thelength of the various time blocks is variable and not limited to onehour blocks. Thus, as shown in FIG. 23, time blocks 365, 367 and 371last for three hours, time block 373 lasts for four hours and time block369 lasts for five hours. As above, the user can select one or more ofthe blocks displayed for the current campaign (preferably, the shadedcolor of the block changes from a first color when the block is notselected to a second color when the block is selected) or can useselection checkbox 364 to select all of the blocks in the behaviorsub-component.

The weekly LIFELINE view window 142, FIG. 9B, includes top-levelcomponent 372 and behavior sub-components 382, 404, 406, 408 and 410.Top-level component 372 is shown in detail in FIG. 24 and includes thesame sorting controls for the behavior sub-components discussed abovewith respect to top-level component 344 of the daily LIFELINE view,including a sort by behavior type select menu 374, a sort by optionsselection menu 376, a sort by selection menu 378 and a time range viewtoggle 380. These controls each perform the same function as thecontrols described above with respect to top-level component 344.

Behavior sub-component 382 of FIG. 9B is representative of all of thebehavior sub-components in the weekly view, and, as shown in FIG. 25includes a selection checkbox 364, a label 366 and fields, for theassociated behavior, describing the average frequency per week (field384), the median frequency per week (field 386) and the percentagefrequency per week (field 388). In this view, the user can select alltime boxes for the behavior for the week by selecting checkbox 364.

Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described in detail, various modifications and improvementsthereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to beconstrued broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not bythe foregoing specification.

1. A method for generating a campaign from information about availableunits stored in a central computer database, the information comprisinga set of first characteristic data and associated behavior informationand a set of formats for the available units and associated behaviorinformation, comprising the steps of: entering selective criteria fromthe set of first characteristic information at a remote computer coupledto the central computer database; searching the central computerdatabase based upon the entered selective criteria and, based on theassociated behavior information for the first characteristic datamatching the search criteria, identifying corresponding formats;displaying the results from the search at the remote computer, theresults constituting the identified corresponding formats; andselecting, using the remote computer, one or more formats from thesearch results for the campaign.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theresults displayed further comprise associated statistical informationfor the formats.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the campaign is anadvertising media campaign.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theavailable units comprise available advertising units.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the first characteristic data comprises demographicinformation.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the demographicinformation comprises gender, age, ethnicity, income range, maritalstatus, children under 18 years old, education level, acculturation andemployment status.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the behaviorinformation comprises identified behaviors performed by an advertisingaudience.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the identified behaviorsinclude travel, at work or school, eating a meal, shopping away fromhome, personal time away from home and entertainment away from home. 9.The method of claim 4, wherein the set of formats for the availableadvertising units comprise the types of advertising available.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the results displayed further compriseassociated statistical information for the formats, the campaign is anadvertising media campaign, the available units comprise availableadvertising units, the first characteristic data comprises demographicinformation, the behavior information comprises identified behaviorsperformed by an advertising audience and the set of formats for theavailable advertising units comprise the types of advertising available.11. An apparatus for generating a campaign from information aboutavailable units, comprising: a central computer database for storinginformation about available units comprising a set of firstcharacteristic data and associated behavior information and a set offormats for the available units and associated behavior information; aweb server computer system coupled to the central computer database forsearching the central computer database based upon selective criteriaand for, based on the associated behavior information for the firstcharacteristic data matching the search criteria, identifyingcorresponding formats; and a remote computer coupled to the web servercomputer system and adapted to allow entry of the selective criteriafrom the set of first characteristic information and to provide theselective criteria to the web server computer system via the network andfor displaying the results from the search, the results constituting theidentified corresponding formats, to allow a user to select one or moreformats from the search results for the campaign.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the results displayed further comprise associatedstatistical information for the formats.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the campaign is an advertising media campaign.
 14. The apparatusof claim 13, wherein the available units comprise available advertisingunits.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first characteristicdata comprises demographic information.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the demographic information comprises gender, age, ethnicity,income range, marital status, children under 18 years old, educationlevel, acculturation and employment status.
 17. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the behavior information comprises identified behaviorsperformed by an advertising audience.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17,wherein the identified behaviors include travel, at work or school,eating a meal, shopping away from home, personal time away from home andentertainment away from home.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein theset of formats for the available advertising units comprise the types ofadvertising available.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theresults displayed further comprise associated statistical informationfor the formats, the campaign is an advertising media campaign, theavailable units comprise available advertising units, the firstcharacteristic data comprises demographic information, the behaviorinformation comprises identified behaviors performed by an advertisingaudience and the set of formats for the available advertising unitscomprise the types of advertising available.